EMBRACING TIME

While on vacation, I went on a bike ride with my four-year-old daughter, Veronica. With her riding in a wheeled buggy attached to my bike, we rode the local bike trails. 
 
It was a beautiful day. The temperature was cool, the sun bright, and a slight warm breeze embraced us during our ride.
 
Veronica was well equipped for the buggy ride.  She insisted on bringing her stuffed animals, coloring books, and various snacks.  I pedaled, she sang, laughed, and asked questions about virtually everything. 
 
"Dad, slow down! I don't want to miss anything."
 
"What?"
 
"Slow down!  I don't want to miss anything."
 
I chuckled and slowed down a bit, but I was focusing on making good time and getting back to the resort to return a few e-mails before my the e-mail box was over the limit. 
 
Many years have since passed, and now, upon reflection, Veronica in her innocence and brilliance has taught me an important lesson on life. Why am I in such a hurry? What is so important that I must put aside the moment? Does one find the real lesson of life in the journey, and not in the destination?
 
It is something how these questions come up upon reflecting on our vacations.  My wife and I were her "world." Now her world is a world of school, friends, texting, and cell phones with very little time for me.
 
"Dad, slow down! I don't want to miss anything," are words that echo in my mind this very moment.
 
Now I find it is my turn to say,
 
"Veronica, slow down! I don't want to miss anything."
 
As I watch her go to school and envision her attending her first prom, leaving for college, and watching her wear my wife's wedding dress as she walks out of our lives into another...
 
If only I could remember forever! If only I could hold onto time, but then again... that is what vacations are for. 
 
Until Next Friday,